Case For Extension Of Workshop Argued

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30840, 27 August 1965, Page 12

Case For Extension Of Workshop Argued

Granting of the application was of national importance, for the firm had gained the contract to make the Timaru all-weather meat-loading plant, and was making penstocks for the Aviemore hydro-electric scheme, said Mr C. B. McLachlan, counsel for F. W. Matthews, Ltd., when objections to a proposed extension of the company’s Marshland road engineering workshop were heard by the town-planning committee of the Waimairi County Council last evening.

Residents opposed the application, and evidence was given by them of “very heavy noise” from the workshop. Mr R. J. de Goldi, for 14 of the residents, that apart from the objections, application would be made to the council to take steps to have the firm abate the noise.

The application was adjourned, the committee chairman (Cr. A. E. Wagner) saying that a recommendation would be made to the council.

The workshop is in Marshland road, just north of Briggs road, and permission is sought to extend it westwards by 120 ft, occupying jbqyt an acre of land. Mr''McLachlan said that the firm had taken care to keep noise down. Work went on some nights until eight o’clock, but it would not be later. The company had been on the site for 10 years, and houses had in that time been built in the vicinity, the owners being aware of the proximity of the workshop. £330,000 Contract

The firm sought the extension as a matter of national Importance. It had gained, in the face of world-wide competition, the contract for construction of the Timaru all - weather meat - loading

plant, which would cost about a third of a million pounds. This was World Bank money, which would help the prosperity of New Zealand and of Christchurch. The firm also had to carry out commitments to the Ministry of Works for the supply of the Aviemore penstocks. Both contracts were of tremendous importance to the future of New Zealand. Care would be taken in construction of the extension to insulate it to deaden noise. Mr de Goldi, who appeared for 14 residents of Briggs and Clearbrook roads, said that the application was wrongly lodged in that it related to a “machinery workshop,” when the firm described itself as “heavy steel fabricators, manufacturers and precision engineers.” He submitted that under the planning regulations, an engineering workshop could be a conditional use in a rural zone if it was serving farming, but the firm’s activities went beyond that. Ruling Wanted

Mr de Goldi said that the council should submit a case to the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board for a ruling. To permit the application would be to wreck the intent of the Town Planning Act to segregate industrial uses.

So much noise had been created by the present operations that he had been instructed to call on the coun-

cil to take steps to abate the noise nuisance, and would do so in a separate application. The application for an extension invited the council to permit an extension and aggravation of that noise. A number of the objectors had their houses up before the workshop was established. It was common sense that devaluation of adjacent property had resulted. It was significant that the firms said it was taking steps in the proposed extension to minimise the noise.

Mr W. R. Ayers said he lived 300 yards from the workshop. The noise was very heavy at times, almost vibrating windows. He described the sounds as “shattering, clanging noise, that reverberberate throughout the district.” There had been noise at 2 a.m.

Mr Ayers said he had telephoned Mr Matthews “for the last time” to complain about noise after 9 p.m., and on Saturday mornings, and had told him that his next complaint would be to the police. Similar evidence was given by. Messrs F. Drabble, D. Patterson, R. Yates, and A. C. Browning. Batching Plant

The committee also heard objections against an application by R. A. Burnett for a specific departure to allow of the use of rural land to the east of the Main North road near the Waimakariri bridge for construction of a concrete batching plant, and a vehicle repair workshop. Mr K. M. Hampton appeared for Mr Burnett.

Objections were made by Messrs J. J. Dunne and G. C. Suggate (Ministry of Works) and C. B. Millar (Christchurch Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority), Mr J. N. B. Matson appearing for the authority. Their objections were to the effect that the plant, if allowed, would interfere with Main North road traffic, and that it should be located elsewhere in better compliance with the council’s zoning.

A decision was deferred for the committee to make a recommendation to the council.

No objectors were present when they were called in an application by Mr and Mrs R. T. Ross (Mr A. F. Shaw) for permission to build six motels at 308 Blenheim road.